Thursday night 17th May was a star-studded occasion in Killarney Community College. Teachers, students, parents and distinguished guests assembled for the annual awards ceremony to honour and recognise students in the college. The awards night at Killarney Community College has now become an annual tradition in the college and it gives the whole school community an opportunity to reflect on some of the achievements of the students. Awards were presented across a range of categories: academia, technology, culture, leadership, ethos, sports and extra-curricular activities amongst others. It is always a great evening and an opportunity to honour those who have excelled.

On the night, there was an array of special guests including Mark Murphy, the co-founder of the Apprentice Chef Programme. Charlie McCarthy who is a past pupil from Killarney Community College was the special guest presenter on the night. Charlie McCarthy is a Chartered Engineer and is currently a Director of Liebherr Container Cranes Ltd. and in this capacity he is responsible for the Innovation and Design of all products produced in Killarney along with joint responsibility for the management of the company. He gave a wonderful heartfelt speech to the assembled engaged audience and provided food for thought to the award recipients with his tips for life after school.

Colm McEvoy who is the CEO at Kerry ETB praised the college on its work ethic and complimented all involved on the high standard of work. KCC is under the governing body of Kerry Education and Training Board which is co-educational and multi-belief in ethos. On presenting the Awards, the Acting School Principal Stella Loughnane commended all award recipients and the wonderful teamwork of the teachers and staff for the awards night.

Robyn Sheehan was voted by the teachers as the student of the year as during her 6 years in the school, she has endeared herself to everyone through her commitment, pleasant disposition, work ethos and involvement with all areas of school life.

The prestigious Principal’s Award went to Grace O’ Sullivan for her overall contribution to the school. Grace has lead the way academically demonstrating that dedication, hard work and a sense of purpose is a lifelong skill that can achieve so much.

Kate Stack received the Senior Sports Awards as recognition of her outstanding contribution to sport in the college and in her respective clubs. Caoimhe Crowley and Martha Fitzgerald won an award in the Junior Sports category in recognition of their sporting prowess.

Monika Cepulyte won the Arts Awards, while Ciaran Quigley and Breda Kelliher received the Senior Music Award. The Design and Technology award was presented to Lucas O’ Donoghue. All students were credited for their incredible talents in these areas.

The Endeavour award went to a worthy recipient, Amy Flynn and Contribution to the life of the school Award was presented to Karen O’ Donoghue. David Murrell Musgrave was presented with the award for Living the Ethos. David has been constantly involved in promoting the school ethos of “Respect, Responsibility and Inclusion” throughout his years studying in the college.

Awards were presented to last year’s Best Junior and Leaving Certificate Exam. Students. Sarah O’ Riordan Clifford received best Leaving Certificate, Best Junior Certificate went to Karen O’ Donoghue and Leaving Certificate Applied to Shane Courtney

There was special recognition given to students involved in the pantomime, Rapunzel who put on an outstanding performance last December. Natalia Leane in Transition Year who recently won the All- Ireland Apprentice Chef 2018, was recognised and awarded by the college for her outstanding performance. The night was a great success with entertainment being provided by various musical acts, including the staff choir, under the direction of music teacher Ms Joanna Hughes and Siobhan O’ Brien.

Acting Principal Stella Loughnane concluded the night with a sincere speech when she spoke about the college being part of a larger learning organisation, Kerry ETB that seeks to promote and celebrate leadership and empowers endeavour. She referenced Steve Jobs from Apple who celebrated and promoted all talents. Technicians and engineers were fundamental to their organisation but so were poets, musicians and artists. All talents just like tonight in the college, were acknowledged, celebrated and given room to be influencers. Tonight Killarney community College we acknowledge and celebrate our influencers for tomorrow. A wonderful sense of occasion was felt in Killarney Community College on this most important night for all involved.

A KILLARNEY student, hugely talented in the culinary arts, was named Supreme Apprentice Chef despite stiff competition from secondary school students from across Munster. A stunning dish of pan-seared Skeaghanore duck with a sweet orange glaze earned Natalia Leane from Killarney Community College the coveted Supreme Apprentice Chef title in the high-profile competition final at IT Tralee. The finalists cooked up some real treats in the college’s state-of-the-art kitchens in the Flogas Ireland and Fáilte Ireland supported contest. Earlier this year each finalist was assigned an experienced chef to provide mentoring to help them design and create a unique signature dish using locally sourced ingredients and the discerning judges were overwhelmed by the exceptional standard. Mark Doe: established the competition. As the winner, transition year student Natalia, who celebrated her 17th birthday the next day, walked away with a prize package that included a set of professional knives from McDonnells, €1,000 equipment for her school, a year’s subscription to Easyfood Magazine and a professional food styling session at Easyfood Magazine HQ this summer. In addition, she received the specially commissioned Supreme Apprentice Chef perpetual trophy. Oliver Sullivan, Hospitality Manager at Fáilte Ireland, said the competition was a fantastic opportunity for young people who want a culinary career to showcase their talent and potential. “It is an excellent way for younger chefs to set a standard and define their own style and I’ve no doubt that today’s winner and indeed all those who entered will find a rich and rewarding career in Ireland’s hospitality industry.” This is the sixth year of the Apprentice Chef Programme which was established by Mark Doe of Just Cooking Cookery School and Mark Murphy, lecturer in Culinary Arts at IT Tralee. Ref: killarneytoday.com

The senior ladies team suffered a heart breaking loss in today's Munster Final against a physically stronger and imposing Ennis Community College. Our girls went into half time just one point down on a score of 2-5 to 1-7. We got hit with 2 quick goals at the beginning of the second half and were on the back foot from there on in. In all fairness to our team they rallied and showed great character to chip away at the lead and led by 2 points with 15 minutes remaining. Unfortu...nately the strength and experience of the Ennis team allowed them to finish strongly with our girls fighting hard to the end and narrowly missing a goal chance to set up a deserved equaliser. The final score was Ennis CC 5-11 Killarney CC 4-11.

Unfortunately ,it simply was not our day but there were some outstanding performances on our team. Carmel Looney game was an exhibition at full back while the dynamic stack sisters caused havoc with Niamh (player of the match) scoring 1-4 from play and older sister Kate also contributing 1-4.Martha Fitzgerald scored 2 classy points from play while Molly O’Connor and Ciara Kearney both managed to raise the green flag in the second half.

Well done to all 25 players, Ms Louise Mccarthy and Ms Edel Cronin for their expert guidance throughout the year. The 70 supporters who travelled were in full voice for the whole game and did themselves, their team and school proud. A special mention to Ann Maire for all her hard work decorating the school, making flags and raising school spirits. This won't be the last we hear about this group of girls, we are extremely proud of their achievements and raising the profile of sporting achievements within the school.

Massive congratulations to our Senior Ladies Football team who are through to the Munster Final after overcoming Scoil Mhuire Crosshaven in a fantastic display winning 9-11 to 3 -11 in very tough windy and wet conditions last Monday in Cloughduv. Super effort by all involved Well Done girls, roll on the final.

Transition Year students represented Killarney Community College at this year’s Young Social Innovators Speakout which took place last Thursday 8th March in Cork City Hall. The Young Social Innovators (YSI) Programme for senior cycle is a youth-led, team-based, action focused programme. Working in teams, young people aged 15-18 identify a social issue of concern to them, explore it and come up with real actions and responses. The students in Killarney Community College chose an issue they feel very passionately about. The aim of the student’s project is to raise awareness of the Deaf Community here in Killarney and encourage people to learn sign language. They believed that this issue needed to be explored in order to create a more inclusive society especially now that ISL (Irish Sign Language) which is now officially recognised as a native and independent language in Ireland. This legislation was passed by the Dáil in December 2017 which was put forward by Senator Mark Daly. Their teacher YSI Guide Ms. Lorraine Crowley received an award for the most inspiring YSI leader guide to her students. She encouraged and motivated them throughout their project.The TY students completed research to find out the level of knowledge and awareness of the deaf community the students already possessed. They also invited Aileen Curtaine from DeafHear Killarney to visit their class with her daughter Aisling who is a member of the deaf community. Aisling explained how she wants people outside of the deaf community to learn some basic sign language so we can all communicate. This is a wish for many people who are deaf and this motivated the students to organise sign language classes for their Transition Year class. The students are currently learning sign language with John Patrick Doherty who himself is a member of the deaf community. This is a QQI Level 3 Certificate and once they have this completed, these Young Social Innovators hope to teach sign language to the first years in the school. The students are creating a positive influence in the community.